Eagle Forum has always honored the women who choose to be fulltime homemakers. The Eagle Forum Fulltime Homemaker Award celebrates the value of the fulltime homemaker and her worthy contributions by providing a stable environment for teaching morals and values to the next generation.
As our founder, Phyllis Schlafly said, “I started Eagle Forum to be a voice for the family against attempts to discredit the fulltime homemaker, and against undermining one of fundamental building blocks of America’s foundation of prosperity and freedom: families with a mom and a dad.”
Caroline Aderholt – After marrying her husband Robert in 1994, Caroline continued contract work for the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and the Business Council of Alabama. However, politics soon became Caroline’s main focus in 1996 when her husband won a successful bid for the U.S. Congress for the Fourth Congressional District of Alabama. In 1999, Caroline and Robert became parents to a daughter, Mary Elliott, and again in 2004 to a son, Robert Hayes. Priorities shifted, and Caroline would devote her time to raising children and representing her husband at official and political events.
Tania Beck – Tania was born as a 3rd generation Italian-American to two wonderful, deeply faithful parents, Vincent and MaryAnn Colonna. She was raised in New Haven, CT as a 'born again' charismatic catholic and attended catholic school, along with her 3 siblings, until her university years where she attended Southern CT State University. Tania earned a bachelor’s degree in public health with a minor in Health Services Administration.
Tania married her husband Glenn in Jan 2000, and they have 4 children. They have never turned back nor questioned The
Lord and his wisdom.
Ballard, Katherine – Katherine Ballard and her five siblings were raised in El Centro, CA, a mere 10-minute drive from the Mexican border. After marrying her college sweetheart, Tim, she supported him as he finished his schooling in both Utah and Northern California. The pair then returned to El Centro, where they happily raised six children as Tim pursued a career with Homeland Security in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Barton, Cheryl – Cheryl Barton was born and raised in Houston, TX, and earned her teaching degree with an emphasis in special education from North Texas State University. She went on to teach special needs students at several state schools in Texas. Cheryl married her husband, David Barton in 1978. David and Cheryl founded WallBuilders in 1988 and they began traveling the country with their three small children, speaking to groups regarding the truth of our nation’s Christian beginnings. WallBuilders grew over the years and Cheryl faithfully traveled with David, supporting him while operating WallBuilders’ book tables and raising and homeschooling their children. Since 1988, Cheryl has been a delegate to every Texas Republican State Convention and has attended every Republican National Convention with David since 1996. While she often works behind the scenes, she is a strong proponent for traditional family values, life, limited government, and individual and religious freedom. Their three children are married, and they have five grandchildren.
Elizabeth Johnston and her husband, Patrick Johnston M.D., have ten children, whom they home-school. Known as the "Activist Mommy", Mrs. Johnston daily triggers the Left by confronting the lies of abortion, feminism, Islam, and the homosexual agenda with wit and tenacity. She is the best-selling author of Not on My Watch: How to Win the Fight for Family, Faith and Freedom. Mrs. Johnston credits Phyllis Schlafly for inspiring her to engage in social and moral issues. Her love for her family and her Savior, Jesus Christ is the pulse behind her activism. (View Elizabeth Johnston's speech at Eagle Council 48)
Carol Paul was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Ron Paul, on February 1, 1957 — fifty-eight years ago. Their journey took them to Duke Medical School, Henry Ford Hospital, the Air Force base in San Antonio, and Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Carol and Ron had four children during this time — Ronnie, Lori, Rand, and Robert. In June 1968, they set out for Lake Jackson, Texas. There Ron delivered lots of babies, and Carol spent 30 years working with Girl Scouts. Their youngest daughter was born in 1973 to complete the family. Between her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, Carol has 42 kids to look after, so Carol cooks a lot! She has published 12 mini cookbooks and attended untold numbers of political meetings, workshops and festivities. She says, “The cause of liberty is important and the struggle to keep it is worth the effort.”
Eunie Smith is President of Eagle Forum of Alabama and has engaged many public policy issues since she began in 1963 as a volunteer with the Freedom Education Foundation. She then served as state Co-Chairman of Alabama Stop ERA. She was commended by the Alabama legislature in 1992 for extraordinary volunteer service for pro-family causes. She served as 2012 Chairman of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Eunie is a cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University, the mother of three and grandmother of six. She is the widow of former Congressman Albert Lee Smith, a certified life insurance underwriter who unseated a 16-year incumbent Republican and was a pioneer in the Reagan revolution.
Jackie Green Jackie is a full-time homemaker who relishes her role as wife, mother, mother-in-law, and as "Gigi" to three grandchildren. Married to her teenage sweetheart, Steve, for 29 years, Jackie actively supports him in his high profile role as president of Hobby Lobby. After homeschooling her children for 13 years, Jackie now serves on the board of her younger children's private Christian school. She also serves on the advisory board of a crisis pregnancy center and has worked with orphanages and adoption assistance agencies around the world. Jackie is also a supporter of the Museum of the Bible.
Pam Tebow — Eagle Forum honored Pam Tebow as our 2012 Homemaker of the Year. Pam graduated with honors from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. She and her husband have been called “homeschool pioneers,” as they began homeschooling in 1982. The Tebows lived for a number of years as missionaries in the Philippines, where her husband Bob Tebow continues to have a ministry and Pam coordinates projects. They also operate an orphanage in the Philippines that has been home to scores of orphans since 1992. Her son Tim Tebow is famous as an NFL football star who is open about his faith.
Teiro Cuccinelli — Eagle Forum honored Teiro Cuccinelli as our 2011 Fulltime Homemaker of the Year. Teiro married her high school sweetheart, Ken Cuccinelli, after she earned her business degree from James Madison University in 1991. She worked as a program analyst for Dyncorp while Ken attended Law School. When their first daughter was born, Teiro dedicated herself to being a fulltime homemaker. Teiro and Ken now have seven children, five daughters and two sons. She homeschooled three of their daughters from kindergarten through the sixth grade and continues to homeschool their two younger daughters while juggling their two very active toddler boys. Teiro is exactly the type of wife and mother who is the mainstay of the family and the hope of America's future.
Mrs. Vicki Tiahrt — wife of Rep. Todd Tiahrt, served a two-year term as President of the Washington, D.C.-based Congressional Club. As part of this role, Vicki spent countless hours volunteering for the Club's charities — charities such as the House of Ruth, which supports abused women and their children, and Martha's Table, which provides meals to needy families. Vicki and Todd have been blessed with three children, Jessica, John, and Luke.
Mrs. Bob Riley — Patsy Riley, the First Lady of Alabama and wife of Governor Bob Riley, mother of four and grandmother of eight, is a prime example of a dedicated Fulltime Homemaker. She is involved in Petticoat Politics, a movement to get Alabama women involved in issues that affect Alabama. She supports the Alabama Reading Initiative and regularly visits schools to encourage children to have a passion for reading. She a member of the "Internet Keep Safe" Coalition, where she teaches basic rules of internet safety to children and parents. She supports the Alabama Foster Care Association and the Birthday Wish project to give foster children the chance to realize a Birthday Wish. She serves each year as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive at Christmastime. In 2003, Patsy successfully undertook raising the funds for the renovation of the Governor's Mansion, and spearheaded the Capitol Grounds Improvement Project to plant shrubs that enhance the beauty of the Alabama Capitol. Beautiful tributes from her son and daughter testify to her exemplary career as a fulltime homemaker.
Mrs. Rick Scarbourgh — Tommye Adams received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, and taught second and third grades in both Christian and public schools. She married a Baptist pastor, Rick Scarborough. After her first child was born, she became a fulltime homemaker and homeschooled her children while traveling with Rick in evangelism. Tommye and Rick, who live in Texas, have three children. One daughter, Kathryn Ann, who ran cross-country for both the University of Houston and Stephen F. Austin State University, went to be with the Lord when she was only 25 years old. Richard and his wife Anny have two children. Tommye's other daughter, Misty, and her husband, Daniel Black, have two children. Misty is carrying on the fulltime homemaker tradition and homeschooling her children.
Mrs. Pat Boone — Shirley Foley was born into the entertainment business in Chicago; her parents were singers on the National Barn Dance Radio show. As a young girl, Shirley sang with her parents occasionally, developing her skills as a performer. At age 12, her father joined the Grand Ole Opry and moved his family to Nashville. In school, Shirley used her talents to be a leader, while she continued to develop her speaking ability, and was involved in plays and student government. At David Lipscomb High School, Shirley met Pat Boone. The sweethearts married in 1953 and moved to Denton, Texas where Pat enrolled in school and soon launched his singing career. Shirley gave up singing in the professional trio to be a fulltime wife and mother of four daughters. Shirley balanced motherhood, support of her husband and involvement in the community by presiding as the National Entertainment Chairman for the March of Dimes. Shirley's book, One Woman's Liberation, telling of her battle to maintain her identity in the world of show business, made the best-seller list of the Religious Booksellers Association. Upholding her Christian values, Shirley started We Win Ministries for women in need. Shirley remained true to her faith through 53 years of marriage and 15 grandchildren, and she knows that being a fulltime homemaker and wife does not mean less of a life but much, much more.
Mrs. Kate Obenshain — "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." These words of President John Quincy Adams represent Kate Obenshain. As a mother, she has been inspiring her sons through action and love by teaching them about critical values. She inspired other students with her ideas and activism as editor of the Virginia Advocate in college. Kate continued to be involved in the politics in Virginia, working as Senator George Allen's chief of staff and then as his chief education and health policy advisor when he was Virginia's Governor. She stood her ground as the Chairman of the Virginia GOP against higher taxes and advocated limited government. Her passion to inspire the younger generation toward conservative principles has been backed by 18 years of lecturing on campuses all over the country. As Young America's Foundation vice president, Kate continues to fight for conservative ideals of liberty.
Mrs. Howard Phillips — Margaret Elizabeth Phillips, known as Peggy, and her husband Howard, started their life together in a College Republican romance. They were married in 1964. Together, they organized 39 College Republican clubs. Peggy then devoted herself to being a fulltime homemaker, leaving her husband, known as Howie, free to spend his time trying to save the country from liberalism. They raised six children and have fifteen grandchildren. Peggy's love for her family shines through the years. She has stood beside Howie and helped each of her children develop their own gifts and personalities.
Mrs. D. James Kennedy — Anne Lewis grew up in a Christian family where everyone, including Anne, was very musical. Anne's college degree was in Spanish, music and education. She then served on the music staff of the Birmingham Conservatory of Music. She was also extremely athletic, and for a time, she and her sister did water ski shows every weekend in Lakeland, Florida. One day Anne enrolled as a student at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Tampa, where she was assigned to a teacher named D. James Kennedy. The rest is history. Anne and her late husband Jim have one daughter. Anne is the premier type of wife and mother who is the mainstay of the family.
Mrs. Roy Moore — Kayla Kisor is married to Roy Moore, former Alabama Chief Justice. Roy Moore admits that without Kayla's unwavering support and encouragement, he would not have been able to withstand the incredible pressures associated with his battle to honor the Ten Commandments and America's religious history and heritage. Justice Moore has remained involved in politics in Alabama. Kayla and Roy have four beautiful children. Kayla is the premier type of woman who is building a family that is the hope of America's future.
Mrs. Rick Santorum — One of twelve children, Karen Santorum started out pursuing a career in medicine. After graduating from Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing in 1983, she became a registered nurse and worked in a neonatal intensive care unit. At the same time, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Duquesne University. In 1990, she earned her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of law and then practiced Law in Pittsburgh. Karen is married to the former United States Senator Rick Santorum and they are the parents of six children. In 1998, Karen published Letters to Gabriel, a book of letters she wrote her son, Gabriel Michael, who died shortly after birth. With all these academic, professional, and literary distinctions, Karen has chosen to be a stay-at-home mom and to homeschool her children.
Mrs. Todd Akin — Lulli Akin received an academic and athletic education that included study in France and Norway. After graduating from Hollins College in socio-linguistics, she became a systems engineer with IBM in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she met and married IBM salesman Todd Akin. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri where they have raised their four sons and two daughters, homeschooling them all. Eager to help other homeschoolers, Lulli coordinated an educational testing business for homeschoolers all over the world. She has been an enthusiastic supporter of significant political campaigns. Todd was elected as a Representative to the Missouri State Legislature and now serves as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Lulli is a premier example of a Christian who holds family values dear and is involved in preserving America as the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Mrs. Alicia Andrews — Alicia Andrews began studying piano at age 6 and the cello at age 10. At age 14, she was singing with the Maryville College Choir. At 15, she was teaching cello to other children. At age 16, she toured Europe with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, which won the youth orchestra world championship in Vienna, Austria. Alicia graduated from the St. Louis Conservatory of Music with a major in cello and a minor in piano. While working on her MBA, Alicia combined her musical talents with entrepreneurial motivations and started her own music studio called Bel Canto Studio. She arranged trios, quartets, and small orchestras for private parties, weddings, and churches. Alicia has volunteered in numerous national, state, and local political campaigns, and her creative direct-mail ideas and telephone scripts have helped to win numerous elections. Alicia and her husband adopted seven children from Romania and homeschooled them all.
Mrs. James Dobson — Shirley Dobson graduated from Pasadena College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and taught school in California. She received honorary degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary, Biola University, Huntington College, and Dallas Baptist University, as well as many other awards. She has been an active leader in Bible Study Fellowship and a Director of Women's Ministries for a large evangelical church. Shirley is well-known as a national speaker about issues that affect women and families. Shirley and her friend Gloria Gaither co-authored a four-book series for families. Shirley serves as the Chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Shirley lives in Colorado with her husband, Jim, and they have two grown children. Dr. James Dobson is the founder of Focus on the Family.
Mrs. Lino Graglia — Carolyn Graglia is a graduate of Cornell University and Columbia University Law School where she was an editor of the Law Review. She has been published in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, The Texas Law Review, The Weekly Standard, The Wall Street Journal, and The Women's Quarterly. Carolyn was an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice from 1954 through 1959 in Washington, D.C. She consulted for several years on constitutional law and anti-trust litigation, and then began lecturing and writing on family issues. Mrs. Graglia is the author of Domestic Tranquility: A Brief Against Feminism, a book we had been needing for 30 years. She actually read all the tiresome feminist tirades taught in women's studies courses, refuted their fallacies, and exposed their malignant hostility to wives and mothers. Her book proves that we cannot afford to lose the culture war waged by the feminists if we care about the future of our own families as well as the future of America. Mrs. Graglia is a wonderful example of a woman who gave up a career as attorney in a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm in order to be a fulltime wife and mother to her three children, and she has written extensively about what a wise decision this was.
Mrs. J.C. Watts — Frankie Watts is the wife of former U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. of Oklahoma. Mrs. Watts and the Congressman have been married for almost 30 years and have five wonderful children. A devoted fulltime homemaker, Frankie, was a volunteer for the Cleveland County Court Appointed Special Advocate in Norman, Oklahoma, and the prayer advisor for the Norman Christian Woman's Club.
Mrs. Michael Farris — Vickie Freed is the wife of Home school Legal Defense Association Board Chairman and Patrick Henry College President, Michael Farris. Michael and Vickie have ten children, and so far, ten grandchildren. Vickie attended Western Washington State College where she graduated with a degree in elementary education. She has been homeschooling her children since 1982. The Farrises live near Lincoln, Virginia, where Vickie does all the things that Fulltime Homemakers do and more, including playing the piano at Blue Ridge Church, and serving as head of the Ladies Ministries. She occasionally travels with her husband to speak at home school conferences and fully supports him in his vision and work with Patrick Henry College. Vickie is the author of A Mom Just Like You.
Mrs. Mike Huckabee — Janet McCain Huckabee moved from Louisiana to Hope, Arkansas as a child. In 1974, Janet married her high school sweetheart, Mike Huckabee, a Baptist preacher who was later elected Governor of Arkansas. She attended college at Ouachita Baptist University. Janet has worked as a substitute teacher in public schools and served as president of the Arkansas Parent Teacher Association. She was active in the Beech Street First Baptist Church and with the ACTS-TV station. As First Lady of Arkansas, she traveled around the state and was co-chair for the Campaign for Healthier Babies in Arkansas. She served as a member on multiple boards. Janet is an alumna of the Little Rock Citizens Police Academy. In 1996, she was honorary chair of the Arkansas Lung Association Clean Air Race and the Committee of 100. She was named the 1997 Florence Crittenden Woman of the Year. After the March 1, 1997 tornadoes, she chaired the Arkansas Red Cross Disaster Relief Campaign. The Huckabees have three children.
Mrs. Gary Bauer — After graduating from Muskingum College in Ohio with a major in Political Science, Carol Hoke took her first job at the Republican National Committee. She held several positions under Ronald Reagan, most notably, Director of Presidential Personnel at the Department of Health and Human Services. Carol is married to Gary Bauer, an outstanding leader of the pro-family movement. They have two married daughters and a son who is entering his senior year of college in Virginia. Carol is a mentor for Mothers of Preschoolers at her church and is also involved in a ministry for mothers of students in junior and senior high. She hosts a monthly Bible study and writes the Washington Prayer Alert monthly. Carol also stays busy caring for her husband's mother and has previously helped Gary in his presidential campaign.
Mrs. Donald Manzullo — The wife of Illinois Congressman Don Manzullo, Freda Teslik is an outstanding example of a fulltime homemaker. Freda homeschooled her three children through the eighth grade. At the time of her marriage, Freda Teslik was a medical technologist at St. Anthony's Hospital in Rockford, Illinois, having graduated from Hope College in Michigan with a degree in biology. She attended and worked at the School of Medical Technology at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois. Freda and Don co-founded a crisis pregnancy center in Rockford, Illinois, because of their concern for expectant mothers and the unborn. Freda always campaigned for her husband, a Member of House of Representatives from the Sixteenth District of Illinois.
Mrs. Phillip Summa — Mary Potter Summa attended Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, and graduated cum laude from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia with a B.A. in Political Science. She received her Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law in Buies Creek, North Carolina, where she was a member of the Honor Court. Upon her admission to the North Carolina State Bar in 1984, Mary was appointed Legal Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Separation of Powers. She became Chief Legislative Assistant to Senator Jesse Helms. In 1989, she returned to North Carolina as Assistant District Attorney in the 26th Judicial District in Charlotte. After her first child was born, she became a fulltime homemaker. Mary Summa is known for her active role in the development and writing of the Republican Party Platforms of 1988 and 1992. Mary and her husband Phillip Summa, a patent attorney, are the parents of two children. Mary is an outstanding example of a successful lawyer who put her legal career "on hold" in order to become a fulltime mother to her children.
Mrs. Lee Atwater — Sally Atwater graduated with a B.S. from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1973. She went on to earn a Master's degree at Winthrop College in 1975 and then completed post-graduate work in education at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Sally specialized in special education and taught in South Carolina before moving to Washington D.C. with her husband, where she served in the U.S. Department of Education during the Reagan Administration. President George H. W. Bush played a major role in the courtship of Sally Dunbar and her late husband, Republican National Chairman Lee Atwater. Sally worked alongside her husband, serving as a volunteer for the Reagan-Bush campaign in 1984 and the Bush-Quayle campaign in 1988. In 2001, she was named the Executive Director of the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Lee died in 1991 at the age of 40 from a brain tumor, leaving Sally to raise their three children alone. Sally is a role model for mothers who must give their children an extra measure of love and care to make up for loss in their lives.
Mrs. Antonin Scalia — A Radcliffe College graduate, Maureen McCarthy married Antonin Scalia in 1960. She is the mother of nine beautiful children. In her spare time, she served in the Parent Teacher Organization and volunteered at the Center for Retarded Adults. She organized a group to reevaluate the county school board policy concerning the length of the elementary school day. She was a volunteer for the Bob Roberts Service League in the children's wing at the University of Chicago Hospital. She also volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center, where she counseled pregnant women, supervised the training program, edited the center's newsletter, and served as Associate Director. Maureen Scalia's faith, character, and dedication make her a role model for all American women.
Mrs. Richard Salomon — In addition to winning the Bronze Medal for figure skating at the 1972 Olympic Games, world-class figure skater Janet Lynn was the U.S. Ladies Senior National Champion for five years. She was also the star of the Ice Follies from 1973 to 1975, performing in all major U.S. cities.
Janet Lynn donated the money she earned from her performances to help crippled children and the Lung Association, as well as multiple sclerosis and cancer research projects. She was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Speakers list for nine years. She shared her testimony on a nationally televised Billy Graham Crusade, at an Athlete's Prayer Brunch at the White House, during evangelism crusades in 15 Japanese cities, and at many churches. In 1982, she starred in "The Snow Queen" on PBS-TV with Olympic champion John Curry.
Many experts believe she is the greatest female figure skater of all time. In 1984, Janet Lynn Salomon gave up her multi-million-dollar career to be a fulltime homemaker and mother to their three children.
Mrs. John Jackson — In 1954, Helen Jackson was scheduled to be the first black female astronaut. She gave up her stunningly successful career in order to homeschool her children, believing mothering to be more important. She became active in speaking up for the rights of homeschoolers and was honored in 2007 at the Texas Hall of Fame. Helen is a brilliant woman, starting out with a perfect score on the SAT. After all her five children received college degrees, she resumed her own scientific career. She developed a prototype for Imaging Compton Camera for use in Nuclear Medicine at Vanderbilt University. She provided technical backup for the inventors of Photo-Emission Radiant Heater. She ran the Olympic Torch Relay in 1980. Helen is a remarkable role model of an accomplished and successful career woman who chose to be a fulltime Homemaker in her children's critical years.
Mrs. Oliver North — Betsy North is the wife of Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, USMC (Ret.), the founder of the Freedom Alliance, an organization dedicated to preserving America's heritage and promoting a strong national defense. Colonel North came onto the national scene during the Congressional Iran-Contra hearings. When he was called away from home with long absences, Betsy held her family together. Today Colonel North is a political commentator on both Fox News and his television program War Stories. Betsy's commitment as a fulltime homemaker has allowed her husband to play a significant role in national defense. She is an example of the strong wives and mothers who support their families with love from the home.
Mrs. Guy Hunt — Helen Chambers married Guy Hunt shortly after high school. They raised their four children on a farm. Guy served in the United States Army in the Korean War and had a distinguished service record. During her husband's absence, Helen worked hard to provide constant care for their children. After his return, he was ordained as a Baptist pastor. In the 1960s, Hunt became active in politics and ran unsuccessfully for State Senate in 1962. Hunt became probate judge of Cullman County and continued to be involved in state politics. Eventually, Hunt became the first Republican Governor of Alabama since Reconstruction, serving from 1987-93. Helen supported her husband in his many duties and was a strong leader as the First Lady of Alabama.
Mrs. Bob McEwen — Liz McEwen of Canton, Ohio has been a strong example of a woman dedicated to her family and her role as a fulltime homemaker. Liz attended Wheaton College and school in Italy. She was a flight attendant before she was married and also worked in real estate. She and her husband Bob have four beautiful children. Bob was a senator in the Ohio General Assembly and then was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for six terms. During his service in the legislature, Liz provided a solid foundation for the children, despite her husband's many travels. Liz and Bob volunteer as speakers at Family Life Marriage Conferences in the United States and Canada, and Liz continues to be involved in her community.
